Three Named Engineering Fellows

The Dresser-Rand business, part of Siemens Power and Gas Division, recently inducted three distinguished employees into the Engineering Fellowship Program for 2015: Ralf H. Bode; James M. Sorokes; and George C. Talabisco.

The Global Engineering Fellowship Program was established in 2012 to enhance Dresser-Rand’s focus as a technology company and to recognize, reward and retain its best technical employees. “Having three employees named Fellows in one year speaks to the excellent talent we have within our organization,” said Chris Rossi, CEO of the Dresser-Rand business. “These three gentlemen join six other Engineering Fellows previously inducted into this prestigious program.”

The Fellows distinction is bestowed on a limited number of individuals who have been practicing engineers for more than 20 years and who have attained the highest level of distinction through significant engineering achievements.

Bode, Sorokes and Talabisco were honored at a formal recognition dinner held at the Dresser-Rand business Global Leadership Meeting in Houston, Texas earlier this month.

Ralf is currently the Head of Materials, Procedures and Chemistry Department and is located in Duisburg, Germany. He has been with Siemens since October 2001 and is now a valued member of the Dresser-Rand business. Prior to this, Ralf worked in the Quality Assurance Department at STEAG Company (a company that erects and runs coal-fired power plants in Germany, Colombia, Turkey, and the Philippines).

Ralf holds a graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering and a doctorate in Metallurgy from Ruhr-Universität in Bochum, Germany.

Ralf has more than 40 patents worldwide for his innovations in design materials for turbocompressors and was recognized in 2013 by the Siemens Board as “Inventor of the Year.” In what Ralf describes as a highlight of his career, he and his wife attended a reception in Munich where he met and was congratulated by the Chief Technology Officer of the Siemens Board.

Ralf is a member of Verein Deutscher Ingenieure (VDI – the Association of German Engineers) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Materialkunde (the German Society for Materials Science). He regularly lectures at the University of Duisburg and Essen on “Materials for Turbocompressors” and published the book “Recycling – Metallurgical Aspects.” In 2015, he was promoted to Siemens Principal Key Expert for Technology Materials and Chemicals.

“This is absolutely my dream job,” said Bode. “Being responsible for compressor materials is a dream come true for a metallurgist because of the versatility of components and materials and the exciting new topics I encounter every day.”

James M. (Jim) Sorokes

“Never lose sight of the basics.” – Charlie Green

Jim is a Principal Engineer in centrifugal compressor aerodynamics and this year he celebrates 40 years with Dresser-Rand. Jim holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from St. Bonaventure University, located in Allegany, New York.

He is actively involved with the IGTI Turbomachinery Committee and a regular participant in the Texas A&M Turbomachinery Symposium. He is a Charter Member of the Olean Chapter National Leadership Association (NLA) and held various leadership positions in the local Olean ASME section.

Since his hiring in 1976, Jim has been recognized as a key leader in aerodynamics, initially working as an Analysis Engineer before moving to Aerodynamics Supervisor and then to his current position as a Principal Engineer. Throughout his career, Jim has authored more than 50 technical papers and has been awarded four U.S. patents, with several more pending. He is passionate about Dresser-Rand’s University outreach activities and mentoring engineers in compressor aerodynamic design and analysis.

He launched a “Lunch and Learn” program in 2008 and to date has hosted more than 100 sessions with attendees spanning five continents.

In 2008, Jim was named an American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Fellow, an honor of significant distinction. Jim was nominated by and received letters of support from Dresser-Rand clients because of his contributions to the turbomachinery community. “It’s pretty cool when total strangers come up to me and tell me how much they appreciate a particular paper I wrote or class I taught,” Jim said.

“I’ll never forget my first supervisor, Charlie Green. He told me to never lose sight of the basics,” said Jim. “He insisted I spend a lot of time in the real world – in the shop, on the test stand floor. He encouraged me to get to know the people, products and machines. Those lessons and relationships have served me well throughout my career and have made me the person I am today.”

George C. Talabisco

“You should never try to be better than someone else. But, you should never cease to be the best you could be.” – John Wooden

George is a Principal Engineer for the Dresser-Rand business based in Olean, NY, USA. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Design Engineering Technology from Penn State University, located in Pennsylvania.

George began his career with Ingersoll-Rand 40 years ago. He relocated to Olean when the Dresser-Rand joint venture formed in 1987. He has spent most of his career specializing in controls and process engineering and enjoys helping clients solve their design and operational challenges. He has been active in ASME, has authored or co-authored several technical papers, and has two US patents pertaining to gas turbine operation and controls.

George is the co-founder of the Dynamic Process Simulation team and continues to lead this team based in Olean, NY. George is considered a resident expert in surge and process control design, package design, gas seal systems, and electric wiring for hazardous locations. He spent much of his early career at client sites and was involved in hands-on commissioning and troubleshooting.

John Stahley, General Manager of Olean Operations, describes George as “extremely patient and always willing to share his vast knowledge and experience; a team player in every sense.”

George’s life motto is perseverance. “My father taught me many things, but most importantly he taught me to think before I act and to persevere in whatever I do.” His favorite book, Unbroken, mirrors this philosophy.

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The Dresser-Rand business, part of Siemens Power and Gas (PG), is a leading supplier of mission-critical, high-speed rotating equipment solutions to the worldwide oil, gas, petrochemical, and process industries. As part of the global Siemens family, the Dresser-Rand business offers an equipment portfolio that includes turbo and reciprocating compressors; steam turbines; industrial and aero-derivative gas turbines; high-speed engines; and modular power substations. With the world's largest installed base, one of the world's largest technical support and service center networks, and a presence in more than 150 countries worldwide, the Dresser-Rand business delivers local solutions and services on a global scale.